U.S. patent number 8,238,982 [Application Number 13/231,384] was granted by the patent office on 2012-08-07 for system and method for facilitating short-range wireless communications between a mobile wireless device and an auxiliary system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Research In Motion Limited. Invention is credited to Sean Wilson, Scotte Zinn.
United States Patent |
8,238,982 |
Zinn , et al. |
August 7, 2012 |
System and method for facilitating short-range wireless
communications between a mobile wireless device and an auxiliary
system
Abstract
The present invention relates to a system and method for
facilitating short-range wireless communications between a mobile
wireless device and an auxiliary device. The wireless device
includes a short-range transceiver for communicating with an
auxiliary device; a signal module for providing a mode control
signal; and, a control module for controllably shifting a
short-range transceiver between a power saver mode and a search
mode based on the mode control signal received from the signal
module. When in the search mode, the short-range transceiver is
operable to search for the auxiliary device to communicate
therewith. When in a power saver mode, the short-range transceiver
is not operable to search for the auxiliary device.
Inventors: |
Zinn; Scotte (Waterloo,
CA), Wilson; Sean (Waterloo, CA) |
Assignee: |
Research In Motion Limited
(Waterloo, Ontario, CA)
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Family
ID: |
35240041 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/231,384 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2011 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20120003936 A1 |
Jan 5, 2012 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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12553139 |
Sep 3, 2009 |
8032190 |
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10841441 |
Oct 13, 2009 |
7603145 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/574;
455/41.2; 455/418; 455/74; 455/74.1; 455/556.1; 455/552.1;
455/569.2; 455/569.1; 455/553.1; 455/90.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M
1/72412 (20210101); H04W 4/80 (20180201); H04W
8/005 (20130101); H04W 52/028 (20130101); Y02D
30/70 (20200801); H04B 1/3805 (20130101); H04M
2250/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04M
1/00 (20060101); H04B 1/38 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;455/41.1-41.2,552.1,553.1,556.1-556.2,557,569.1-569.2,572-574,575.1,575.9,90.1-90.3,11.1,74,74.1,418-420 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2445413 |
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Apr 2004 |
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CA |
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2506392 |
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Oct 2010 |
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CA |
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1596537 |
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Sep 2006 |
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EP |
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2382953 |
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Nov 2003 |
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GB |
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1083959 |
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Oct 2006 |
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HK |
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02/47321 |
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Jun 2002 |
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WO |
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02/079961 |
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Oct 2002 |
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WO |
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Other References
Annex to EPO Form 2004, Communication under Rule 51(4) EPC;
Bibliographical data of European patent application No. 04 102
008.2-2412, dated Jan. 23, 2006. cited by other .
Canadian Office Action dated Feb. 5, 2008, Canadian Patent
Application No. 2,506,392. cited by other .
Canadian Office Action dated May 20, 2009, Canadian Patent
Application No. 2,506,392. cited by other .
Office Action issued on application No. 04 102 008.2, dated Jan.
23, 2006. cited by other .
European Search Report on application No. 04 102 008.2, dated Oct.
14, 2004. cited by other .
Office Action issued on application No. 04 102 008.2, dated Oct.
21, 2004. cited by other .
Certificate of Grant for European Patent No. 1596537, dated Aug. 9,
2006. cited by other .
Office Action issued on U.S. Appl. No. 12/914,438 dated Apr. 18,
2011. cited by other .
Notice of Allowance on U.S. Appl. No. 10/841,441 dated Jun. 11,
2009. cited by other .
Request for Continued Examination on U.S. Appl. No. 10/841,441
dated Apr. 17, 2009. cited by other .
Office Action issued on U.S. Appl. No. 10/841,441 dated Dec. 24,
2008. cited by other .
Office Action issued on U.S. Appl. No. 10/841,441 dated Jun. 30,
2008. cited by other .
Office Action issued on U.S. Appl. No. 10/841,441 dated Apr. 9,
2007. cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Tran; Tuan A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bereskin & Parr
LLP/S.E.N.C.R.L., s.r.l.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 12/553,139, filed on Sep. 3, 2009, which is continuation of
prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/841,441, filed on May 10,
2004. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/841,441 issued to patent
as U.S. Pat. No. 7,603,145. The entire contents of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/553,139, and U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/841,441, are hereby incorporated by reference.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A method of controlling short-range wireless communication using
a short-range transceiver between a wireless device and a second
device, the short-range transceiver providing a search mode and a
second mode, the method comprising: searching for the second device
when in the search mode; and being inoperable to search for the
second device at all times when in the second mode.
2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the short-range
transceiver is configured to remain inactive when in the second
mode.
3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein a proximity indicator
is located proximate to the second device, and wherein the
short-range transceiver is configured to enter the search mode when
the proximity indicator is in close proximity to the wireless
device.
4. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the short-range
transceiver is configured to enter the search mode in response to a
user input means.
5. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the wireless device
stores at least one communication profile for communicating with
the second device, and wherein the short-range transceiver is
configured to select a communication profile associated with the
second device from the at least one communication profile for
communication with the second device.
6. A wireless device having: a short-range transceiver for
communicating with a second device; and a control module for
controllably shifting the short-range transceiver between a second
mode and a search mode; wherein, when in the search mode, the
short-range transceiver is operable to search for the second
device; and when in the second mode, the short-range transceiver is
inoperable at all times to search for the second device.
7. The wireless device as defined in claim 6, wherein the
short-range transceiver is configured to remain inactive when in
the second mode.
8. The wireless device as defined in claim 6, wherein the control
module is configured to shift the short-range transceiver from the
second mode to the search mode in response to a user input.
9. The wireless device as defined in claim 6, wherein the wireless
device comprises a detector for detecting when the second device is
in close proximity, and wherein the control module is configured to
shift the short-range transceiver from the second mode to the
search mode when the detector detects the second device in close
proximity of the wireless device.
10. The wireless device as defined in claim 6, wherein the control
module stores at least one communication profile for communicating
with the second device, and wherein the control module is operable
to select a communication profile associated with the second device
from the at least one communication profile for communication with
the second device.
11. A wireless system comprising: a second device having a
short-range communication module; and a wireless device having: a
short-range transceiver for communicating with a second device; and
a control module for controllably shifting the short-range
transceiver between a second mode and a search mode; wherein, when
in the search mode, the short-range transceiver is operable to
search for the short-range communication module of the second
device; and when in the second mode, the short-range transceiver is
inoperable at all times to search for the short-range communication
module of the second device.
12. The wireless system as defined in claim 11, wherein the
short-range transceiver is configured to remain inactive when in
the second mode.
13. The wireless system as defined in claim 11, wherein a proximity
indicator is located proximate to the second device for indicating
proximity of the second device, and wherein the wireless device
comprises a detector for detecting when the proximity indicator is
in close proximity to the wireless device, and wherein the control
module is configured to shift the short-range transceiver from the
second mode to the search mode when the detector detects the
proximity indicator in close proximity to the wireless device.
14. The wireless system as defined in claim 11, wherein the control
module is configured to shift the short-range transceiver from the
second mode to the search mode in response to a user input.
15. The wireless system as defined in claim 11, wherein the control
module stores at least one communication profile for communicating
with the second device, and wherein the control module is operable
to select a communication profile associated with the second device
from the at least one communication profile for communication with
the second device.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to wireless communication
devices. More particularly, it relates to short-range communication
between wireless communication devices and auxiliary systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wireless devices, with or without advanced data communication
capabilities, are increasingly ubiquitous. Such wireless devices
include data messaging devices, two-way pagers, cellular
telephones, cellular telephones with data messaging capabilities,
wireless Internet appliances, and data communication devices (with
or without telephony capabilities). With the increasing ubiquity of
such wireless devices, it becomes increasingly important to provide
interoperability between these wireless devices and other
electronic systems with which the wireless devices interacts.
For example, it is important that a wireless device, such as a data
messaging device, be interoperable with the personal computer of
the user to enable the user to operate from either the data
messaging device or the personal computer, and to switch back and
forth between using each device. For this to happen, the data
messaging device and the personal computer should preferably
automatically update the information stored on each to reflect user
operations on the other device. In the case of other wireless
devices, such as, for example, a cellular telephone, it is
desirable that the cellular telephone be able to interact with
other electronic systems, such as the audio system of an
automobile. Thus, a user should preferably be able to use a
cellular telephone via the microphone and speakers of the
automobile, rather than the headset of the cellular telephone
itself. This frees the user's hands for driving, and makes using
the cellular telephone more convenient.
The interoperability of wireless devices with other electronic
systems should not interfere with stand-alone functions of the
wireless device, and should be as automatic as possible, such that
user input is reduced to a minimum. There remains a need to
increase the interoperability of wireless devices with other
electronic systems while minimizing any inconvenience to the
user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is
provided a wireless device comprising: (a) a short-range
transceiver for communicating with an auxiliary device; (b) a
signal module for providing a mode control signal; and, (c) a
control module for controllably shifting the short-range
transceiver between a power saver mode and a search mode based on
the mode control signal received from the signal module.
When in the search mode, the short-range transceiver is operable to
search for the auxiliary device to communicate therewith. When in
the power saver mode, the short-range transceiver is not operable
to search for the auxiliary device.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this first aspect of
the invention, the signal module comprises a single-action
user-input means for, in response to performance of only a single
action, instructing the signal module to send a mode control to the
control module.
In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of this first
aspect of the invention, the signal module comprises a detector for
detecting when the auxiliary device is in close proximity, the
signal module being operable to send a first signal when the
detector detects that the auxiliary device is in close proximity
and a second signal when the detector detects that the auxiliary
device is not in close proximity. The control module is operable to
shift the short-range transceiver from the power saver mode to the
search mode when the first signal is received from the signal
module, and from the search mode to the power saver mode when the
second signal is received from the signal module.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of controlling short-range wireless communication
between a wireless device and an auxiliary device. The wireless
device includes a detector for detecting a proximate device
indicator. The method comprises providing the proximate device
indicator near to the auxiliary device to indicate proximity of the
auxiliary device to the wireless device, and initiating short-range
communication between the wireless device and the auxiliary device
based on the proximate device indicator indicating proximity of the
auxiliary device to the wireless device.
Preferably, the proximate device indicator comprises a magnet, and
the detector is operable to detect the magnet.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a wireless system comprising: (a) an auxiliary device
having a short-range communication module; (b) a proximate device
indicator for indicating proximity of the auxiliary device, wherein
the proximity device indicator is located proximate to the
auxiliary device; and, (c) a wireless device. The wireless device
comprises: (i) a short-range transceiver for communicating with the
auxiliary device; (ii) a detector for detecting when the proximate
device indicator is in close proximity; and, (iii) a control module
for controllably shifting the short-range transceiver from a power
saver mode to a search mode when the detector detects that the
proximate device indicator is in close proximity, and for
controllably shifting the short-range transceiver from a search
mode to a power saver mode when the detector detects that the
proximate device indicator is not in close proximity. When in the
search mode, the short-range transceiver is operable to search for
the short-range communication module of the auxiliary device to
communicate therewith. When in the power saver mode, the
short-range transceiver is not operable to search for the
short-range communication module of the auxiliary device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show
more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now
be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which aid
in understanding an embodiment of the present invention and in
which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile station in accordance with an
aspect of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication subsystem component of
the mobile station of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a node of a wireless network;
FIG. 4a is a block diagram of a short-range communication subsystem
of the mobile station of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4b is a block diagram of a first variant of a signal module of
the short-range communication subsystem of FIG. 4;
FIG. 4c is a block diagram of a second variant of the signal module
of the short-range communication subsystem of FIG. 4;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an audio system of an automobile,
together with a magnet situated nearby in accordance with a further
aspect of the present invention; and,
FIG. 6, in a block diagram, illustrates a short-range wireless
network in accordance with a still further aspect of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
Aspects of the present invention make use of a mobile station. A
mobile station is a two-way communication device, possibly
including advanced data communication capabilities, having the
capability to communicate with other computer systems. A mobile
station may also include the capability for voice communications.
Depending on the functionality provided by a mobile station, it may
be referred to as a data messaging device, a two-way pager, a
wireless e-mail device, a cellular telephone, a cellular telephone
with data messaging capabilities, a wireless Internet appliance, or
a data communication device (with or without telephony
capabilities). A mobile station communicates with other devices
through a network of transceiver stations.
To aid the reader in understanding the structure of a mobile
station and how it communicates with other devices we refer now to
FIGS. 1 to 3.
Referring first to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a mobile station is
shown generally as 100. Mobile station 100 comprises a number of
components, the controlling component being microprocessor 102.
Microprocessor 102 controls overall operation of mobile station
100. Communication functions, including data and voice
communications, are performed through communication subsystem 104.
Communication subsystem 104 receives messages from and sends
messages to a wireless network 200. In an embodiment of the present
invention, communication subsystem 104 is configured in accordance
with the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) and General
Packet Radio Services (GPRS) standards. The GSM/GPRS wireless
network is used worldwide and it is expected these standards will
be superseded eventually by Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE)
and Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS). New
standards are still being defined, but it is believed they will
have similarities to the network behaviour described herein, and it
will also be understood that the invention is intended to use any
other suitable standards that are developed in the future. The
wireless link connecting communication subsystem 104 with network
200 represents one or more different Radio Frequency (RF) channels,
operating according to defined protocols specified for GSM/GPRS
communications. With newer network protocols, these channels are
capable of supporting both circuit switched voice communications
and packet switched data communications.
Microprocessor 102 also interacts with additional subsystems such
as a Random Access Memory (RAM) 106, flash memory 108, display 110,
auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem 112, serial port 114,
keyboard 116, speaker 118, microphone 120, short-range
communications 122 and other devices 124.
Some of the subsystems of mobile station 100 perform
communication-related functions, whereas other subsystems may
provide "resident" or on-device functions. By way of example,
display 110 and keyboard 116 may be used for both
communication-related functions, such as entering a text message
for transmission over network 200, and device-resident functions
such as a calculator or task list. Operating system software used
by microprocessor 102 is typically stored in a persistent store
such as flash memory 108, which may alternatively be a read-only
memory (ROM) or similar storage element (not shown). Those skilled
in the art will appreciate that the operating system, specific
device applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded
into a volatile store such as RAM 106.
Mobile station 100 may send and receive communication signals over
network 200 after required network registration or activation
procedures have been completed. Network access is associated with a
subscriber or user of a mobile station 100. To identify a
subscriber, mobile station 100 requires a Subscriber Identity
Module or "SIM" card 126 to be inserted in a SIM interface 128 in
order to communicate with a network. SIM 126 is one type of a
conventional "smart card" used to identify a subscriber of mobile
station 100 and to personalize the mobile station 100, among other
things. Without SIM 126, mobile station 100 is not fully
operational for communication with network 200. By inserting SIM
126 into SIM interface 128, a subscriber can access all subscribed
services. Services could include: web browsing and messaging such
as email, voice mail, Short Message Service (SMS), and Multimedia
Messaging Services (MMS). More advanced services may include: point
of sale, field service and sales force automation. SIM 126 includes
a processor and memory for storing information. Once SIM 126 is
inserted in SIM interface 128, it is coupled to microprocessor 102.
In order to identify the subscriber, SIM 126 contains some user
parameters such as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity
(IMSI). An advantage of using SIM 126 is that a subscriber is not
necessarily bound by any single physical mobile station. SIM 126
may store additional subscriber information for a mobile station as
well, including datebook (or calendar) information and recent call
information.
Mobile station 100 is a battery-powered device and includes a
battery interface 132 for receiving one or more rechargeable
batteries 130. Battery interface 132 is coupled to a regulator (not
shown) which assists battery 130 in providing power V+ to mobile
station 100. Although current technology makes use of a battery,
future technologies such as micro fuel cells may provide the power
to mobile station 100.
Microprocessor 102, in addition to its operating system functions,
enables execution of software applications on mobile station 100. A
set of applications which control basic device operations,
including data and voice communication applications will normally
be installed on mobile station 100 during its manufacture. Another
application that may be loaded onto mobile station 100 would be a
personal information manager (PIM). A PIM has functionality to
organize and manage data items of interest to a subscriber, such
as, but not limited to, e-mail, calendar events, voice mails,
appointments, and task items. A PIM application has the ability to
send and receive data items via wireless network 200. In one
embodiment, PIM data items are seamlessly integrated, synchronized,
and updated via wireless network 200 with the mobile station
subscriber's corresponding data items stored and/or associated with
a host computer system. This functionality creates a mirrored host
computer on mobile station 100 with respect to such items. This is
especially advantageous where the host computer system is the
mobile station subscriber's office computer system.
Additional applications may also be loaded onto mobile station 100
through network 200, auxiliary I/O subsystem 112, serial port 114,
short-range communications subsystem 122, or any other suitable
subsystem 124. This flexibility in application installation
increases the functionality of mobile station 100 and may provide
enhanced on-device functions, communication-related functions, or
both. For example, secure communication applications may enable
electronic commerce functions and other such financial transactions
to be performed using mobile station 100.
Serial port 114 enables a subscriber to set preferences through an
external device or software application and extends the
capabilities of mobile station 100 by providing for information or
software downloads to mobile station 100 other than through a
wireless communication network. The alternate download path may,
for example, be used to load an encryption key onto mobile station
100 through a direct and thus reliable and trusted connection to
provide secure device communication.
Short-range communications subsystem 122 provides for communication
between mobile station 100 and different systems or devices,
without the use of network 200. For example, subsystem 122 may
include an infrared device and associated circuits and components
for short-range communication. Examples of short range
communication would include standards developed by the Infrared
Data Association (IrDA), Bluetooth, and the 802.11 family of
standards developed by IEEE.
In use, a received signal such as a text message, an e-mail
message, or web page download will be processed by communication
subsystem 104 and input to microprocessor 102. Microprocessor 102
will then process the received signal for output to display 110 or
alternatively to auxiliary I/O subsystem 112. A subscriber may also
compose data items, such as e-mail messages, for example, using
keyboard 116 in conjunction with display 110 and possibly auxiliary
I/O subsystem 112. Auxiliary subsystem 112 may include devices such
as: a touch screen, mouse, track ball, infrared fingerprint
detector, or a roller wheel with dynamic button pressing
capability. Keyboard 116 is an alphanumeric keyboard and/or
telephone-type keypad. A composed item may be transmitted over
network 200 through communication subsystem 104.
For voice communications, the overall operation of mobile station
100 is substantially similar, except that the received signals
would be output to speaker 118, and signals for transmission would
be generated by microphone 120. Alternative voice or audio I/O
subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also
be implemented on mobile station 100. Although voice or audio
signal output is accomplished primarily through speaker 118,
display 110 may also be used to provide additional information such
as the identity of a calling party, duration of a voice call, or
other voice call related information.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of the communication
subsystem component 104 of FIG. 1 is shown. Communication subsystem
104 comprises a receiver 150, a transmitter 152, one or more
embedded or internal antenna elements 154, 156, Local Oscillators
(LOs) 158, and a processing module such as a Digital Signal
Processor (DSP) 160.
The particular design of communication subsystem 104 is dependent
upon the network 200 in which mobile station 100 is intended to
operate. Thus it should be understood that the design illustrated
in FIG. 2 serves only as one example. Signals received by antenna
154 through network 200 are input to receiver 154, which may
perform such common receiver functions as signal amplification,
frequency down conversion, filtering, channel selection, and
analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. ND conversion of a received
signal allows more complex communication functions such as
demodulation and decoding to be performed in DSP 160. In a similar
manner, signals to be transmitted are processed, including
modulation and encoding, by DSP 160. These DSP-processed signals
are input to transmitter 152 for digital-to-analog (D/A)
conversion, frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification and
transmission over network 200 via antenna 156. DSP 160 not only
processes communication signals, but also provides for receiver and
transmitter control. For example, the gains applied to
communication signals in receiver 150 and transmitter 152 may be
adaptively controlled through automatic gain control algorithms
implemented in DSP 160.
The wireless link between mobile station 100 and a network 200 may
contain one or more different channels, typically different radio
frequency (RF) channels, and associated protocols used between
mobile station 100 and network 200. A RF channel is a limited
resource that must be conserved, typically due to limits in overall
bandwidth and limited battery power of mobile station 100.
When mobile station 100 is fully operational, transmitter 152 is
typically keyed or turned on only when it is sending to network 200
and is otherwise turned off to conserve resources. Similarly,
receiver 150 is periodically turned off to conserve power until it
is needed to receive signals or information (if at all) during
designated time periods.
Referring now to FIG. 3 a block diagram of a node of a wireless
network is shown as 202. In practice, network 200 comprises one or
more nodes 202. Mobile station 100 communicates with a node 202
within wireless network 200. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, node 202
is configured in accordance with General Packet Radio Service
(GPRS) and Global Systems for Mobile (GSM) technologies. Node 202
includes a base station controller (BSC) 204 with an associated
tower station 206, a Packet Control Unit (PCU) 208 added for GPRS
support in GSM, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 210, a Home
Location Register (HLR) 212, a Visitor Location Registry (VLR) 214,
a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 216, a Gateway GPRS Support Node
(GGSN) 218, and a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) 220.
This list of components is not meant to be an exhaustive list of
the components of every node 202 within a GSM/GPRS network, but
rather a list of components that are commonly used in
communications through network 200.
In a GSM network, MSC 210 is coupled to BSC 204 and to a landline
network, such as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 222 to
satisfy circuit switched requirements. The connection through PCU
208, SGSN 216 and GGSN 218 to the public or private network
(Internet) 224 represents the data path for GPRS capable mobile
stations. In a GSM network extended with GPRS capabilities, BSC 204
also contains a Packet Control Unit (PCU) 208 that connects to SGSN
216 to control segmentation, radio channel allocation and to
satisfy packet switched requirements. To track mobile station
location and availability for both circuit switched and packet
switched management, HLR 212 is shared between MSC 210 and SGSN
216. Access to VLR 214 is controlled by MSC 210.
Station 206 is a fixed transceiver station. Station 206 and BSC 204
together form the fixed transceiver equipment. The fixed
transceiver equipment provides wireless network coverage for a
particular coverage area commonly referred to as a "cell". The
fixed transceiver equipment transmits communication signals to and
receives communication signals from mobile stations within its cell
via station 206. The fixed transceiver equipment normally performs
such functions as modulation and possibly encoding and/or
encryption of signals to be transmitted to the mobile station in
accordance with particular, usually predetermined, communication
protocols and parameters, under control of its controller. The
fixed transceiver equipment similarly demodulates and possibly
decodes and decrypts, if necessary, any communication signals
received from mobile station 100 within its cell. Communication
protocols and parameters may vary between different nodes. For
example, one node may employ a different modulation scheme and
operate at different frequencies than other nodes.
For all mobile stations 100 registered with a specific network,
permanent configuration data such as a user profile is stored in
HLR 212. HLR 212 also contains location information for each
registered mobile station and can be queried to determine the
current location of a mobile station. MSC 210 is responsible for a
group of location areas and stores the data of the mobile stations
currently in its area of responsibility in VLR 214. Further VLR 214
also contains information on mobile stations that are visiting
other networks. The information in VLR 214 includes part of the
permanent mobile station data transmitted from HLR 212 to VLR 214
for faster access. By moving additional information from a remote
HLR 212 node to VLR 214, the amount of traffic between these nodes
can be reduced so that voice and data services can be provided with
faster response times and at the same time requiring less use of
computing resources.
SGSN 216 and GGSN 218 are elements added for GPRS support; namely
packet switched data support, within GSM. SGSN 216 and MSC 210 have
similar responsibilities within wireless network 200 by keeping
track of the location of each mobile station 100. SGSN 216 also
performs security functions and access control for data traffic on
network 200. GGSN 218 provides inter networking connections with
external packet switched networks and connects to one or more
SGSN's 216 via an Internet Protocol (IP) backbone networked
operated within the network 200. During normal operations a given
mobile station 100 must perform a "GPRS Attach" to acquire an IP
address and to access data services. This requirement is not
present in circuit switched voice channels as ISDN addresses are
used for routing incoming and outgoing calls. Currently, all GPRS
capable networks use private, dynamically assigned IP addresses,
thus requiring a DHCP server 220 connected to the GGSN 218. There
are many mechanisms for dynamic IP assignment, including using a
combination of a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service
(RADIUS) Server and DHCP server. Once the GPRS Attach is complete,
a logical connection is established from a mobile station 100,
through PCU 208, and SGSN 216 to an Access Point Node (APN) within
GGSN 218. The APN represents a logical end of an IP tunnel that can
either access direct Internet compatible services or private
network connections. The APN also represents a security mechanism
for network 200, insofar as each mobile station 100 must be
assigned to one or more APN's and mobile stations 100 cannot
exchange data without first performing a GPRS Attach to an APN that
it has been authorized to use. The APN may be considered to be
similar to an Internet domain name such as
"myconnection.wireless.com".
Once the GPRS Attach is complete, a tunnel is created and all
traffic is exchanged within standard IP packets using any protocol
that can be supported in IP packets. This includes tunnelling
methods such as IP over IP as in the case with some IPSecurity
(IPSec) connections used with Virtual Private Networks (VPN). These
tunnels are also referred to as Packet Data Protocol (PDP) Contexts
and there are a limited number of these available in the network
200. To maximize use of the PDP Contexts, network 200 will run an
idle timer for each PDP Context to determine if there is a lack of
activity. When a mobile station is not using its PDP Context, the
PDP Context can be deallocated and the IP address returned to the
IP address pool managed by DHCP server 220.
Referring to FIG. 4a, the short-range communication subsystem 122
of the mobile station 100 is illustrated in more detail in a block
diagram. As shown, the short-range communication subsystem 122
comprises a DSP 300 linked on the one hand to microprocessor 102,
and, on the other hand, to receiver 302 and transmitter 304. All of
the components of short-range communication subsystem 122 are
powered by battery 130 of microprocessor 102.
As described above, short-range communication subsystem 122
provides for communication between mobile station 100 and different
systems or devices without the use of network 200. In some
situations, this can be highly advantageous. For example, when
mobile station 100 is in the vicinity of a short-range wireless
network, information may be transmitted to and received by other
wireless devices within this short-range wireless network using
suitable protocols, such as the 802.11 family of standards
developed by IEEE. This increases the bandwidth of the information
that can be transmitted, and also, depending on the plan of the
user of the mobile station 100, can significantly reduce user costs
arising from Internet access.
However, these advantages come at a price. Specifically, keeping
the short-range communication subsystem 122 active consumes power.
As mobile station 100 is typically battery driven by battery 130,
power is limited. Accordingly, a wireless device can typically
function using the short-range communication subsystem 122 for only
relatively short periods of time before battery 130 will require
recharging. For this reason, it is desirable that short-range
communication subsystem 122 be inactive except when circumstances
exist for short-range communication.
Typically, short-range communication subsystems of wireless
stations will periodically send out a signal that may be received
by any transceivers operating nearby. If these nearby transceivers
respond, then information can be sent from the mobile station to
these transceivers via the short-range communication subsystem.
However, as described above, the periodic transmission of signals
from the short-range communication subsystem will consume limited
power. Accordingly, it is desirable that this search by the
short-range communication subsystem for nearby transceivers be
curtailed unless there is some indication that such transceivers
are in the vicinity.
One way of achieving this is to have the user of the mobile station
indicate when wireless devices are nearby. However, this can be
quite time-consuming and inconvenient. To address this problem, as
shown in FIG. 4a, short-range communication subsystem 122 comprises
a signal module 306. The signal module 306 is operable to provide a
mode control signal to the microprocessor 102. Depending on the
mode control signal received from the signal module 306, the
microprocessor 102 is operable to switch the short-range
communication subsystem 122 between a search mode, in which the
short-range communication subsystem 122 searches for suitable
external transceivers, and a power saver mode, in which the
short-range communication subsystem 122 does not look for an
external transceiver with which to communicate.
Referring to FIG. 4b, there is illustrated in a block diagram a
preferred variant of the signal module 306. According to this
variant, the signal module 306 comprises a single-action user input
means 306b. This single-action user input means 306b may be a
button, or voice activated, or any other suitable device that can
be operated by a single action by a user. This variant of the
invention may be implemented on some conventional mobile stations
using suitable software. That is, the mobile station can be
configured by the software to provide an icon or other
single-action user-input means 306b.
When a user of a mobile station is in close proximity to a suitable
auxiliary device, the user can, by performing the designated single
action, indicate this to the signal module 306 via the
single-action user input means 306b. This single action might
consist of simply clicking the button, or saying, for example, the
word "car" or "mouse". The signal module 306 then sends a message
to microprocessor 102. The microprocessor 102 then instructs
receiver 302 and transmitter 304 via DSP 300 to switch to the
search mode in which the short-range communication subsystem 122
searches for suitable external transceivers. Conversely, when the
user does not wish the mobile station to be in the search mode, the
user can, by performing the designated single action, send another
message to microprocessor 102. Microprocessor 102 can then instruct
short-range communication subsystem 122 to stand down in a power
saver mode during which the short-range communication subsystem 122
does not look for an external receiver with which to
communicate.
Referring to FIG. 4c, there is illustrated in a block diagram a
further preferred variant of the signal module 306 of FIG. 4a.
According to this embodiment, the signal module 306 comprises a
detector 306c. Detector 306c is configured to detect the presence
of a proximity indicator located near to an external transceiver
suitable for communicating with transmitter 304 and receiver 302 of
short-range communication subsystem 122. When detector 306c detects
the presence of the proximity indicator, a message is sent by
signal module 306 to microprocessor 102. Microprocessor 102 then
switches the short-range communication subsystem 122 to the search
mode in which the short-range communication subsystem 122 searches
for suitable external transceivers. Optionally and conversely, when
detector 306c no longer detects the presence of a proximity
indicator, signal module 306 sends another signal to microprocessor
102. Microprocessor 102 then determines that a suitable external
transceiver is no longer nearby, and instructs short-range
communication subsystem 122 to stand down in the power saver mode
during which the short-range communication subsystem 122 does not
look for an external transceiver with which to communicate.
Referring to FIG. 5, there is illustrated in a block diagram, an
auxiliary wireless system 310 suitable for communicating with the
short-range communication subsystem 122 of the mobile station 100
in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. As
described below, the auxiliary wireless system can be used via a
short-range communication subsystem 122 comprising the signal
module 306 of either FIG. 4b or 4c. For operation with a mobile
station 100 including a signal module 306 having a user-input means
306b as shown in FIG. 4b, the auxiliary wireless system 310 need
have no special features such as the proximity indicator located
nearby. Accordingly, the description of the auxiliary wireless
system 310 that follows describes the interaction of the components
of the system 310 with the short-range communication subsystem 122
including the signal module 306 of FIG. 4c.
As shown in FIG. 5, a magnet 312 is mounted at or nearby the
auxiliary system 310. The magnet 312 need not be part of the
auxiliary system 310 provided the magnet 312 is near the auxiliary
system 310, which relationship has been indicated by drawing the
magnet 312 in dashed line. The magnet 312 is detectable by the
detector 306c of the signal module 306 of FIG. 4c.
The auxiliary system 310 shown in FIG. 5 may be, for example, an
audio system such as a car phone for an automobile. As such,
auxiliary system 310 comprises a microprocessor 314 and DSP 316.
DSP 316 is linked to speakers 322 and microphone 324. Auxiliary
system 310 also includes a receiver 318 and a transmitter 320.
Preferably, the magnet 312 is mounted in a cradle for receiving the
mobile station 100. In the case of the auxiliary system 310, the
mobile station 100 may be a cellular telephone or a data
communication device with telephony capabilities. When the mobile
station 100 is received in the cradle, the detector 306c of the
signal module 306 of FIG. 4c, detects the presence of magnet 312.
The signal module 306 then sends a message to microprocessor 102
indicating that the magnet 312 is present. Microprocessor 102 then
instructs short-range communication subsystem 122 to shift from the
power saver mode to the search mode in which a signal is sent from
transmitter 304 to any nearby external receivers. This signal is
received by receiver 318. Optionally, at that point, the mobile
station 100 may determine, from the signal received from
transmitter 320 of auxiliary system 310, a suitable BlueTooth or
other profile for communicating with auxiliary system 310.
Preferably, however, magnet 312 has a pre-selected configuration,
which, when detected by detector 306c, and communicated by signal
module 306 to microprocessor 102, enables microprocessor 102 to
determine the suitable BlueTooth or other profile for communicating
with auxiliary system 310. Thus, when instructing the short-range
communication subsystem 122 to begin the search mode,
microprocessor 102 will also instruct short-range communication
subsystem 122 on the particular short-range communication profile
to use.
Many different methods can be used to configure magnets so as to
identify one or more communication profiles. For example, if the
cradle includes only one magnet, then, perhaps, only a single
communication profile is identified. However, for cradles
optionally including up to two magnets, three or more communication
profiles can be identified. For example, if the cradle includes a
first magnet, but not a second magnet, then a first communication
profile is identified. If the cradle includes a second magnet, but
not the first magnet, then a second communication profile is
identified. If both the first and second magnets are included in
the cradle, then a third communication profile is identified.
Alternatively, the location of a single magnet may change between
different locations on the cradle to identify different
communication profiles.
As a result of this communication between short-range communication
subsystem 122 and auxiliary system 310, a user of the cell phone
(mobile station 100) will be able to use the mobile station 100 via
speakers 322 and microphone 324 of auxiliary system 310. That is,
audio information can be communicated back and forth between the
mobile station 100 and the auxiliary system 310 via short-range
communication subsystem 122 and transmitter 320 and receiver 318 of
auxiliary system 310.
The mobile station 100 comprising the short-range communication
subsystem 122 may also be employed to advantage in other contexts.
For example, the auxiliary wireless system 310 may comprise a mouse
that can be used with the mobile station 100 via short-range
communication subsystem 122. In the case of the signal module 306
of FIG. 4b, the short-range communication subsystem 122 may be
switched between the power saver mode and the search mode without
any automatic proximity indication means being provided near an
auxiliary wireless system. However, in the case of the signal
module 306 of FIG. 4c, additional components may be required for
the detector 306c to detect the presence of the auxiliary wireless
systems. The description of FIG. 6 that follows describes a
wireless network that may be used without any signal module 306 of
FIG. 4b or the signal module 306 of FIG. 4c.
Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated in a block diagram, a
wireless network 400. The wireless network 400 comprises individual
computers 406, each having a transceiver 404, as well as wireline
network 402 connecting wireline computers 408 with a wireline
transceiver 404. In accordance with an aspect of the present
invention, at least one of the transceivers 404, and preferably all
of the transceivers 404, will be located near to a proximity
indicator such as magnet 410. Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5,
when the mobile station 100 is near to one of the magnets 410, the
detector 306c of the short-range communication subsystem 122 will
detect the presence of the magnet 410, and, preferably, will also
detect the particular communication profile to use to communicate
with wireless network 400. This profile might, for example, be a
particular profile selected from the IEEE 802.11 standard. This
information will be communicated to microprocessor 102 by signal
module 306. Then, the microprocessor 102 of the mobile station 100
will instruct the short-range communication subsystem 122 to switch
from the power saver mode to the search mode in which the
short-range communication subsystem 122 sends out signals to the
transceivers 404 of the wireless network 400.
Conversely, when the mobile station 100 is no longer in the
vicinity of the wireless network 400, then the detector 306c will
no longer detect the presence of the magnet 410. This information
will be communicated to microprocessor 102, which will instruct
short-range communication subsystem 122 to shift from the search
mode to the power saver mode.
Other variations and modifications of the invention are possible.
For example, proximity indicators other than a magnet might be
used. For example, the cradle might include components that
indicate to the microprocessor 102, when the mobile station 100 is
inserted into the cradle, what the suitable communication profile
is. One such proximity indicator could be provided by leads at the
bottom of the cellular phone that are normally open circuits.
Connectors carefully positioned in the cradle would close some, but
not all, of these circuits, thereby indicating to the cell phone
that the auxiliary devices in close proximity, and also signaling
the particular communication profile to use for communication with
the auxiliary device. All such modifications or variations are
believed to be within the sphere and scope of the invention as
defined by the claims appended hereto.
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